From a Swaha TV series, Pt. Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader of SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali
Valmiki Muni once enquired of Sage Narad, “O Naradji, who is the perfect being, the perfect exemplar for human beings in leading a life of abundance and happiness?”
Upon being asked, Naradji immediately replied, “Undoubtedly, O Valmiki, Bhagavan Shri Raam is that ideal individual.”
Today, Bhagavan Shri Raam continues to be the joy and hope of worshippers throughout the world. His life offers many moments of inspiration for us. First of all, Bhagavan Shri Raam, upon his manifestation, was given a meaningful name. This name reflects his individuality and his characteristics. Our Hindu names reflect our background and our traditions.
By the age of 12, Bhagavan Shri Raam had been initiated, meaning he had a spiritual guide and advisor, a Guru. It is the duty of each and every one of us to have a spiritual guide. Another interesting fact in the life of Bhagavan Shri Raam is his parental and brotherly love, shown through his obedience and togetherness. All of these are important ingredients in the promotion of good family life, which is the basis of a stable and sound society.
Bhagavan Shri Raam showed us the importance of education; in fact, his battlecry was education for liberation, that is, education not only in sacred matters but also in secular matters. Bhagavan Shri Raam showed us there is power in knowledge and in the acquisition of righteous knowledge meant for the development of the individual. He taught us that knowledge of our scriptures is vitally important if we are to understand life and make it meaningful.
Throughout His life, He unambiguously established the importance of spirituality and morality for the eradication of poverty, misery and for uplifting humanity – that was his clarion call. Bhagavan Shri Raam led an outstanding life. He is our hero, our superhero, our Lord. In his dietary habits, Shri Raam was a lacto-vegetarian. He never ate meat and loved fruits and vegetables, which are essential for the promotion of good health. He did not drink alcohol, nor was he ever a drug addict. He realised the importance of physical wellbeing and his diet was based on pure or sattvic foods.
Like you and me, Bhagavan Shri Raam had many problems. However, he did not consider suicide a solution. Instead, like a pillar of strength, He believed in himself, had confidence, built friendships, used his resources, thought wisely; He made the right decisions, faced up to the problems in life and solved them. He taught us that pressure makes us precious.
In marital life, Bhagavan Shri Raam practised monogamy, not polygamy or bigamy. One man, one woman. He showed the importance of fidelity. Bhagavan Shri Raam is our ideal in his relationships with his family and other people. He refused to give false hope or promises; his word was his honour. His life was his message; he spoke little and acted more. He loved all and treated all with deep respect.
He worshipped the Brahmins. He always performed meditation, yoga, prayer and puja, especially worship of Bhagavan Shankar. He reminded us of our spiritual duty – puja and other religious practises must be undertaken on a daily basis. He was dead-set against religious dilution and pollution. He prevented human and animal sacrifice. He believed in service, justice and fairplay. He gave more than he took.
Sport was a priority in the life of Bhagavan Shri Raam. He engaged in kite flying with Hanumanji in addition to taking that long walk from North India, straight into South India and then into Lanka, covering thousands of miles on foot. He showed how important walking is for good health. As testimony to Shri Raam’s physical prowess, Tulsidas described him as long-armed, broad-chested and very skilled in archery.
This is but a drop in the vast ocean of the immeasurable life of Bhagavan Shri Raam. Shri Raam represents the descent of God on earth and the ascent of man. Knowing this, do not continue to wallow in ignorance. As we join our Hindu brothers and sisters throughout the world on this momentous occasion of Shri Raam Naumi or the manifestation of Bhagavan Shri Raam, let us be wise and spiritualise. Let us recognise in Shri Raam not simply a hero but a superhero, our ultimate reality, the Divine Lord, our ultimate destiny. May Bhagavan Shri Raam who was born so many thousands of years ago, for the protection of the righteous, for the sake of his devotees, for the establishment of harmony, bless us all. Bhole Shri Raam Chandra ki jai!
